EGYPT

08.13.12

Morsi Applauded for Army Face-Off

Amr Nabil / AP Photo

After firing Egypt’s top general Sunday and canceling constitutional amendments that gave sweeping powers to the armed forces, President Mohamed Morsi was cheered by crowds in Tahrir Square on Sunday night. Morsi said in an address that his decision to clean house among the nation’s top brass was not motivated by personal animosities and added, “My aim was the benefit of this nation and its people.” Some have greeted the decision with skepticism, however, seeing it as the just the most recent blow landed in a power struggle between the country’s military and civilian leaders that began soon after the ouster of dictator Hosni Mubarak.